Cruz Proving Too Dangerous a Test for 135-pound Champions
Sometimes, in boxing, being too good becomes a burden. That’s the case for Cuban star Andy Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs), one of the most decorated amateurs in history, and now the number one contender with both the WBC and IBF. By all rights, Cruz should be knocking on the door of a world title fight, but champions at lightweight seem in no hurry to face him.
Cruz’s slick, defensive style and ability to neutralize opponents make him a high-risk, low-reward proposition. Fighters like Gervonta “Tank” Davis, Shakur Stevenson, and Raymond Muratalla gain little financially by fighting him but risk being outclassed.
That combination has left Cruz stuck in boxing’s political maze, where marketability often outweighs merit. He’s not going to sniff a title shot in 2025. He can only hope that opportunity will occur at some point in 2026.
For now, his path forward is to keep winning and raising his profile until avoiding him is no longer an option. Until then, Andy Cruz remains one of the most avoided fighters in one of boxing’s most competitive divisions.
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